Windows: to close or not to close?
The long, cold winter is over and spring is delivering a much needed breath of fresh air. Yes, it is tempting to forgo the heating and cooling equipment and rely on open windows for temperature control. But, you may want to take time to think about that. While opening up the windows is a good idea for airing out your home, there are drawbacks to this approach. Dust and particles can enter your home, which can lower indoor air quality.
Opening the windows for a long period of time can allow dust and allergens to enter your home. This can aggravate allergies and lower indoor air quality.
But, this is not to say that opening the windows in short bursts (particularly at the beginning of the season) can’t have its perks.
- Air out your home. A stuffy winter home can harbor unpleasant odors. An open window can bring in fresh air – relieving stuffiness and eliminating odors.
- BRIEF air conditioner substitute. On cooler days, an open window can be a substitute for your air conditioner. This may help you save money on utilities. But, be careful, turning your air conditioner on and off can drive up utilities, if done too often.
- Lighten the mood. Letting some sunshine in can be a welcome change from the drab, dark tone often set during the winter. Take in the sun, breath in the air and get ready for warmer temperatures.
So, to open or close the windows…that’s up to you. Just make sure your’re smart about it. Wipe down surfaces in your home where dust and allergens may have settled. So, we want to know, will you be keeping your windows open or closed this spring?
I like what this article mentions about using windows as a substitute for air conditioning. My air conditioner seems to break every spring, so I think using windows as the primary source of cooling could be a good way to reduce the stress on the unit. Thanks for sharing, I will definitely have to figure out when the best time to open the windows would be!